ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a novel aqueous-phase "Biofine process," which is an acid hydrolysis process to convert cellulose to levulinic acid (LA), a platform chemical with dozens of known potential use for both fuels and chemicals. The Biofine process uses one of the most advanced and commercially viable lignocellulosic-fractionating technologies that are currently available. The process involves the acid hydrolysis of polysaccharides to their monomeric constituents, and these are then used to produce valuable platform chemicals such as furfural, LA, and gamma-valerolactone. The hydrolysis of cellulose can be carried out through attack by the electrophilic hydrogen atoms in the water on the glucosidic oxygen. The actual hydrolysis process involves many degradation reactions producing many intermediates. The overall objective of the Biofine process is to minimize the degradation and subsequent condensation reactions that produce tar and increase the yield of LA.
